Should you buy one?
Buy the Aventure 3 if most of your riding is on gravel or rough trails, you want a throttle that works from a stop, and you have room to store and move a 76 lb bike. I had about 56 miles on the display when I filmed my review, and it’s the Aventon I’d pick first for gravel.
Skip it if you need to carry it up stairs or lift it onto a car rack by yourself. Skip it too if your rides are all smooth pavement, where 4 inch tires and a front fork aren’t doing much for you.
The deciding factors: where you ride, and whether you can live with the weight. If your rides are mostly gravel, the fat tires, fork and suspension seatpost are worth the extra 22 lbs over the Pace 500.3. If they’re mostly bike path, they aren’t.
Check the Aventure 3 at Aventon (affiliate link).
Who it’s for
- Gravel and trail riders. That’s most of my riding now, and it’s what this bike does best.
- Taller and heavier riders. I’m about 6’1” and 200 lb, and the bike fits me very well. Aventon rates it for 400 lbs total.
- People who make quick errand stops. The rear wheel lock let me run into Trader Joe’s without pulling out a chain.
- Anyone who wants fenders and a rack included. Both come on the bike.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apartment dwellers with stairs. The weight is the biggest practical downside.
- Riders who want full suspension. There’s no rear shock, only a suspension seatpost.
- Riders under 5’3”. That’s where the step-over Regular size starts. The step-through version goes down to 4’11” (details below).
- Anyone who wants a Class 3 bike. Aventon sells this one as Class 2, and the manual lists a 20 mph top speed.
56 miles on the Aventure 3
When I filmed the review, the display showed about 56 miles, and most of those were on gravel. Before this, the Aventon Level was the one I ranked highest. The Aventure 3 moved ahead of it because it’s so comfortable for the riding I do now.
It looks great, too. Mine is the green Aventon calls Matcha, and it’s the best color I’ve seen on an e-bike. Stealth is the other step-over color. With the fat tires, fenders and rear rack, I can just get on and go.
I didn’t measure top speed, hill climbing, stopping distance or acceleration on this bike, so you won’t find my numbers for those here. Where Aventon publishes a figure, it’s in the table above. What follows is what I saw and felt.
How it rides on gravel
The 4 inch tires grip loose surfaces and soak up chatter. A wide tire spreads out over loose stones instead of digging in. The manual gives a range of 10 to 30 PSI depending on rider weight and conditions. I didn’t record the pressure I ran, so start in that range and adjust.
The Aventon-branded front fork gave me plenty of cushion. Aventon lists 80mm of travel with a lockout.
There’s no rear shock. Aventon fitted a suspension seatpost instead, rated at 50mm. On rougher trails it added a lot of cushion. To me it felt almost like having a full suspension bike, without the extra moving parts. I think it’s the smartest choice on the bike. One owner review on Aventon’s page, from a 320 lb rider, says the seatpost bottoms out on him regularly, so heavier riders should keep that in mind. At 200 lb I didn’t notice that.
I’ve taken it on some fairly aggressive terrain. The thick chain slap guard on the frame has the marks to prove it, and it held up. I like a real slap guard on a rugged bike much better than the clear paint protection film I’ve seen on other bikes.
Motor and power
The motor is a 750W rear hub, rated at 80 Nm. At 6’1” and about 200 lb, I had plenty of power for every incline I rode, including long sloping hills. Aventon doesn’t publish a hill grade rating, and I didn’t measure one.
The throttle on the left side works from zero, so you can pull away from a stop without pedaling. The torque sensor reads how hard you push on the pedals and adds power to match.
Boost Mode gives up to 120% of rated torque and power for up to 30 seconds at a time, which is where the 1,440W figure comes from. It’s a short burst, not what the motor makes all the time. I didn’t use it in my video.
A viewer asked whether the 36V system is a downgrade from the original Aventure’s 48V. Aventon lists a 36V, 33A controller and a 36V, 20Ah battery, which works out to 733Wh. That’s slightly more stored energy than the original’s 720Wh. I didn’t ride the two back to back, so I can’t compare them directly. On the Aventure 3 alone, I had plenty of power on hills.
I didn’t measure motor noise, and Aventon doesn’t list a figure.
Battery, range and charging
Aventon rates the 733Wh pack for up to 65 miles, based on a 165 lb rider on flat pavement in Eco. The manual breaks it down further: about 64 miles with low assist and moderate to heavy pedaling, 48 miles with medium assist, 33 miles on hilly terrain with a heavy load and high assist, and 28 miles on throttle alone. I’m about 200 lbs and rode mostly gravel, often above Eco, so I wouldn’t expect 65 miles from my kind of riding. I didn’t run a range test on this bike. The display does give a range estimate while you ride.
What I measured on camera: about 56 miles on my test bike (video, 2:02).
The included 4A charger takes about 5 hours from empty, according to the product page. The manual says 5 to 6.
There’s no battery key. You unlock and remove the pack from the display. Aventon says the same pack fits the Abound SR, Abound LR, Level 3 and Pace 4, so if you own one of those too, a spare pack works on both.
Controls and display
- Assist levels: off, Eco, Sport and Turbo, changed with the + and – buttons.
- Power: hold the power button to turn the bike on or off. Tap it to cycle through the menus on the full color display, which Aventon lists as the BC280.
- Lights: hold the + button to turn on the headlight and tail lights. The manual says to hold it for three seconds.
- Walk mode and Hold Mode: hold the – button for walk mode. When you let go on a hill, Hold Mode keeps the bike from rolling back for up to 30 seconds.
- Cruise control: listed by Aventon. The manual says it works in any assist mode above 6.2 mph with more than 15% battery. I didn’t use it in my video.
- Shifter: a thumb-and-pointer-finger shifter for the 8 rear gears. It’s the style I like best.
- Brakes: hydraulic discs front and rear.
The turn signals feel a bit gimmicky to me, though they do make you more visible. I wish both could blink together like hazard lights. I couldn’t figure out how, and the manual describes only left and right signals, with no hazard mode. You can check today's price at Aventon.
A viewer asked where the tail light is. There’s no center light. The rear lights and blinkers are built into the frame on both sides at the back, and they’re plenty bright as brake lights.
The app, the wheel lock and the 4G plan
The Aventon app shows where your bike is and has security settings. The feature I actually used is the rear wheel lock. A pin shoots into a new piece on the left side of the rear wheel and stops it from turning. You can set it to lock every time you switch the bike off, or tap a button in the app. Aventon says you can also lock it from the display. I only used the app.
I rode to Trader Joe’s, locked it in the app, and went in without a cable lock. A locked rear wheel won’t stop someone from lifting the bike, but at 76 lbs it isn’t easy to carry off, and a thief would still have to deal with the lock.
The tracking features run over 4G. Aventon includes the first year free from the date you register the bike. After that, a paid subscription is needed for GPS location, lost-bike reporting, remote shutdown, motion alerts, geofencing and status reports. Aventon’s page doesn’t give that price, so check it before you count on tracking in year two.
The app also has Ride Tune, which adjusts torque, assist and pedal response in each of the three modes, plus Apple Watch control and over-the-air updates. You don’t need the app to ride. The throttle, assist levels, lights and display all work on the bike itself.
Comfort and small gripes
The Aventon-branded seat has grippy patches that stop you from sliding around. It’s comfortable without being anything special, so upgrade it if you like. My one wish is the larger palm-rest grips I’ve praised on other bikes. Swapping grips is a quick job, so this is minor.
The chain guard only covers about half the chain. I wear long pants and they’ve never caught.
Mud sprayed past the rear splash guard on muddy rides, and the front fender let some dirt reach the underside of the battery. The battery sits inside the frame and is well protected, so it wasn’t a real problem. Aventon rates the bike IPX5, which covers rain and spray, not submerging it, and it warns against cleaning with a pressure washer. After muddy rides, wipe it down by hand or use a low-pressure hose.
Components
From Aventon’s product page, checked Oct 24, 2026. These are specs, not things I tested.
| Part | Aventon lists |
|---|---|
| Frame | 6061 aluminum with a cast front triangle |
| Display | Aventon BC280 |
| Crankset and chainring | 170mm cranks, 48T chainring |
| Wheels | 26 in double-wall aluminum, 36 spokes |
| Handlebar | Aluminum, 680mm wide |
| Grips | Aventon lock-on grips |
| Pedals | Alloy platforms |
| Kickstand | Included, rear mount |
The Schrader valves are the same type you find on car tires, so a regular car pump will fit them. The manual says to use a regulated air source with a gauge, since an unregulated hose can overinflate the tire.
Sizing and the step-through
| Regular | Large | |
|---|---|---|
| Rider height | 5’3” to 5’10” | 5’10” to 6’4” |
| Seat tube | 440mm | 500mm |
| Reach | 390mm | 428mm |
| Stack | 663mm | 663mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,156mm | 1,194mm |
| Head tube angle | 67° | 67° |
| Chainstay | 470mm | 470mm |
I didn’t say in my video which size I rode. Aventon’s chart puts my 6’1” in the Large.
The two sizes share the same stack height, so the handlebar sits at the same height on both. The Large adds 38mm of reach and a longer wheelbase, which puts the bars farther forward. If you’re right at 5’10” and like a more upright position, try the Regular’s shorter reach first. A viewer asked whether the bars can be raised. Aventon doesn’t list a stem rise or an adjustable stem, so ask them before you buy. Aventon doesn’t list standover height for either frame.
Aventon also sells an Aventure 3 Step-Through. I haven’t ridden it. Its product page, checked Oct 24, 2026, lists:
| Step-through Regular | Step-through Large | |
|---|---|---|
| Rider height | 4’11” to 5’7” | 5’7” to 6’1” |
| Seat tube | 400mm | 480mm |
| Reach | 390mm | 428mm |
| Stack | 654mm | 654mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,152mm | 1,190mm |
It weighs 77 lbs, costs the same $1,999 as of Oct 24, 2026, and comes in Cobalt Blue or Java. The motor, battery, brakes, fork, tires and 400 lb limit are listed the same as on the step-over.
Buying, shipping and service
- Price: $1,999 on Aventon’s site as of Oct 24, 2026, for both frames, all sizes and colors, all listed in stock.
- Shipping: Aventon’s policy page lists free shipping on orders of $100 or more within the 48 contiguous US states, with in-stock e-bikes processed in 3 to 5 business days.
- Returns: Aventon’s return policy allows returns within 14 days of delivery for a full refund minus shipping, if the bike is new and unused with 1 mile or less on the odometer. Return shipping is listed at $125 for bikes. Used bikes with under 20 miles can come back within 14 days with a 50% restocking fee. Holiday purchases have their own window, so read the page before you buy.
- Assembly: the bike needs some home assembly. The manual walks through the handlebar, fenders, display and rear rack, and Aventon has an 8:26 assembly video on the product page. The manual recommends a bike shop if you don’t have the tools or experience.
- Service: Aventon lists more than 2,000 partner bike shops for maintenance and repairs.
- Accessories: a rear rack replacement set made for the Aventure 3 is $61.99 as of Oct 24, 2026, rated to 59 lbs. Aventon’s Aventure front rack is listed as not compatible with the Aventure 3.
Warranty and recalls
Aventon’s warranty page gives 2 years on the frame, electrical parts (battery, motor, controller, display, throttle, lights and sensors), drivetrain and wheels. The frame coverage becomes lifetime if the original buyer registers the bike within 90 days. That lifetime coverage covers the frame’s structure only, and it doesn’t transfer to a second owner. The battery is covered for 2 years or 300 charge cycles, whichever comes first. Aventon may ask you to go to the maker first for third-party parts like the brakes and fork.
I checked recalls on Oct 24, 2026. The only Aventon recall I found was the January 2024 recall of the Sinch.2 folding e-bike (CPSC 24-075), covering about 2,300 bikes that could accelerate unexpectedly. The fix was a controller software update. I found no recall for the Aventure 3.
Aventure 3 vs Aventure (1st gen) vs Pace 500.3
| Aventure 3 | Aventure (1st gen) | Pace 500.3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | 750W rear hub, 80 Nm | 750W rear hub | 500W rear hub, 864W peak |
| Torque sensor | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Battery | 36V 20Ah (733Wh) | 48V (720Wh) | 48V 12.8Ah (614Wh) |
| Rated range | Up to 65 mi | 45 mi average | Up to 60 mi |
| Fork / seatpost travel | 80mm / 50mm | 80mm / not listed | None / none |
| Tires | 26 x 4.0” | 26 x 4” | 27.5 x 2.1” |
| Weight | 76 lbs | 73 lbs | 54 lbs |
| Total weight limit | 400 lbs | 400 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Fenders / rack | Both included | Fenders; mine also had a rack | Not included |
| US price | $1,999 as of Oct 24, 2026 | No longer sold new | $1,799 MSRP on Aventon’s blog; no longer listed on Aventon’s US store as of Oct 24, 2026 |
Aventure 3 figures are from Aventon’s product page. First-gen figures are from Aventon’s original Aventure manual and my review of that bike. Pace 500.3 figures are from Aventon’s product listings and its “best entry-level e-bikes” blog post.
The gap that matters is between the Aventure 3 and the Pace. The Pace weighs 22 lbs less and has no suspension at all. On my Pace test, the concrete trail felt fine, but the bumps came straight through. On gravel, the Aventure 3 is the more comfortable bike.
The Aventure 3 against other fat tire bikes I’ve tested
| Aventure 3 | Bee Cool Adventurer | Mokwheel Obsidian | Aventure M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | 750W hub | 750W hub | 750W hub | 250W mid-drive, 750W peak |
| Battery (Wh) | 733 | About 1,008 (48V 21Ah) | 940 | 733 |
| Rated range (mi) | Up to 65 | About 50 on throttle; up to 80 on pedal assist | 60-80 | Up to 85 |
| Rear suspension | Seatpost | Rear shock | Rear shock | Seatpost |
| Throttle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sold separately |
| App | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Weight (lbs) | 76 | 78 | 77 | 73 |
| Price as of Oct 24, 2026 (USD) | 1,999 | 1,099 | 1,699.99 | 2,899 |
Sources: each maker’s product page, checked Oct 24, 2026, except the Bee Cool battery and range figures, which come from its product page as checked Oct 22, 2026. Bee Cool lists 48V and 21Ah, so the Wh figure is my multiplication.
- Bee Cool Adventurer. True dual suspension and a much lower price, but no app, and I bottomed out its fork on rooty trails.
- Mokwheel Obsidian. Full suspension and a 940Wh battery, about 200Wh more than the Aventure 3, at about the same weight.
- Aventure M. The mid-drive version. It’s Class 1 with no throttle unless you buy one, and it costs $900 more.
For a throttle and an app on a fat tire bike, the Aventure 3 is the one I’d pick from this group.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 4 inch tires, front fork and suspension seatpost make gravel comfortable
- Plenty of hill power from the 750W hub
- Throttle works from zero
- Fenders and rear rack included
- App wheel lock and bike locator
- Thick slap guard
- Thumb-and-pointer-finger shifter
Cons
- Heavy: Aventon lists 76 lbs (I said 75 in my video)
- Turn signals can’t be used as hazards
- Basic grips and seat
- Some mud gets past the fenders
- 4G tracking needs a paid plan after the first year, at a price Aventon doesn’t list
FAQ
Will the fat tires feel slow on pavement? I rode mostly gravel, so I can’t give you a pavement comparison from my own riding. It works on pavement. If you ride only pavement, a lighter bike with thinner tires, like the Pace 500.3, makes more sense.
Can I ride on throttle only? Yes. The throttle works from zero. The manual estimates about 28 miles on throttle alone.
How fast does it go? The manual lists 20 mph, and Aventon sells it as Class 2. Aventon doesn’t list a separate throttle top speed.
Can I raise the handlebars? I didn’t test that. Aventon doesn’t list an adjustable stem, so ask them about stem options before you buy.
Is it worth it over the original Aventure? Yes, unless you find the original used at a clear discount. The Aventure 3 adds the suspension seatpost, a torque sensor and the app features. The weight limit is the same 400 lbs on both.
Is it water resistant? Aventon rates it IPX5. Don’t use a pressure washer on it.
Price
The Aventure 3 is $1,999 on Aventon’s site as of Oct 24, 2026, in both the step-over and step-through frames, in every size and color. Aventon’s page showed no sale price that day. That includes the fenders, rear rack, kickstand and the first year of 4G service. If you’re comparing it with the bikes above, the Bee Cool Adventurer is $900 less and the Aventure M is $900 more.
Check the Aventure 3 at Aventon (affiliate link).
Related reviews and guides
- My original Aventon Aventure review
- My Aventon Aventure M review
- Aventure 3 vs Aventure M
- My Aventon Pace 500.3 review
- Best fat tire e-bikes
- The Aventon lineup explained
- Compare e-bike specs
“He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.” Psalm 18:33 (ESV)
